2023 in Japan explained
Events in the year 2023 in Japan.
Incumbents
Naruhito[1]
Fumio Kishida
Saburo Tokura
Hidehisa Otsuji
Governors
Hideaki Omura
Hidehiko Yuzaki
Naomichi Suzuki
Kazuhiko Ōigawa
Masanori Tanimoto
Yuji Kuroiwa
Ikuo Kabashima
Takatoshi Nishiwaki
Yoshihiro Murai
Shuichi Abe
Hideyo Hanazumi
Ryuta Ibaragi
Denny Tamaki
Hirofumi Yoshimura
Yoshinori Yamaguchi
Motohiro Ōno
Taizō Mikazuki
Events
January
- January 1 - March 28 - According to Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries official confirmed report, at least 82 livestock farm place were bird flu, resulting H5N1 type from death bodies positive test on nationwide, and 9.9 million chickens were culling by Japan Self Ground Defense Force.[2]
- January 13 - According to the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japanese prosecutors indicts Tetsuya Yamagami for the suspect of killing former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated on July 8, 2022, in Nara.[3]
- January 19 - According to official confirmed report, Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tokyo Medical and Dental University were merged, new name is Tokyo Institute Science University, that start in April 2024.[4]
- January 20 - The Bank of Japan reports that inflation in Japan increased by 4.0% in December, the highest recorded increase since 1981.[5]
- January 22 - Four people are killed and three others are feared dead in an apartment fire in Kobe.[6]
- January 25 - A Hong Kong-registered ship carrying 22 people capsizes off the waters of Japan. 13 crew members are rescued, but two later died, and nine are still missing.[7]
- January 29 – A 17-year-old student was filmed licking a soy sauce bottle, and then his finger which he then used to prod on sushi in the food chain Sushiro.[8] Outrage spread across Japan, starting a series of pranks across the country referred to as "sushi terrorism".[9]
February
March
- March 15 – YouTuber and former MP Yoshikazu Higashitani is expelled by the House of Councillors for never attending parliament.[13] An arrest warrant was requested for him the following day.[14]
April
May
- May 5 –
- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visits Singapore and met Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. They also discussed how Singapore and Japan could further expand and deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as the economy, digitalisation, energy, and sustainability.
- 2023 Ishikawa earthquake. According to USGS official report, a Richter Scale 6.2 magnitude earthquake, followed by many aftershocks, hit in Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture. According to Fire and Disaster Management Agency official report, 1 person died and 48 people were wounded.
- May 11 – According to USGS official report, a Richter Scale 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit in Tokyo Metropolitan area, according to Fire and Disaster Management Agency official report, nine persons were wounded.
- May 19 to 21 – 49th G7 summit held in Hiroshima.
- May 25 – Four people including two policemen were killed in a stabbing and shooting incident in Nakano.[20]
June
- June 2 - 3 – According to Japan Meteorological Agency official confirmed report, a heavy massive torrential rain, affective Typhoon Mawar hit in Japan, many places occur on flash flood, levee collapse, landslide hit in Tokyo Metropolitan area, Kii Peninsula, and Hamamatsu, which kill 7 persons with injure 45 persons.
- June 4 – A former member of House of Councillors, Yoshikazu Higashitani arrested suspicion for repeating habitual personal intimidation by own YouTube, on way to Japan, escape from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, according to Japan National Police Agency and Interpol announced.
- June 14 – 2023 Japan military facility shooting
- June 16 – The Japanese Diet passes the bill to understand LGBTQ, raises the age of consent from 13 to 16, and criminalizes voyeurism.[21] [22]
- June 18 – According to Japan National Police Agency official confirmed report, a regular route bus and a truck carrying livestock were collision in Yakumo, Hokkaido, a five persons were human fatalities with twelve persons were hurt,[23] [24]
- June 23 – According to the official confirmed report of the World Health Organization, a patient who died of myocarditis in domestic (a 70's age) in June 2022 was confirmed as the first case of Oz virus in the world from the results of the Japan National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
July
- July 4 – UN's nuclear watchdog approves plans to release water from Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean.[25]
- July 8 – Japan marked the 1st anniversary of the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated while he giving at the parliamentary election speech in Nara in July 2022.
- 11 July – Floods and mudslides killed at least six in southwestern Japan and injured 19. Five people have been reported missing.[26]
- July 14 – According to Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) official confirmed report, an explosion occurred during the test of solid fuel Epsilon rocket at JAXA's Noshiro Testing Center in Noshiro, Akita Prefecture, no one injures on this incident.
- July 15 - 16 – According to Japan Meteorological Agency official confirmed report, a heavy rain caused flooding, levee breaches, and landslides in many places in Akita Prefecture. According to an official report by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, kill one person and injure four others.
- July 30 - According to official confirmed report, Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival has return since 2022. However, a many visitor remain behind venue after midnight, cause the suburban train service hour ended.
August
- August 1 to 9 - According to FDMA official announced, a powerful Typhoon Khanun hit around Sakishima Islands, Okinawa Island with toward East China Sea, one person fatalities with 91 persons were wounded.
- August 15 - According to FDMA official report, a torrential massibie rain, levee collapse hit affectives by Typhoon Lan, 66 persons were wounded, mainly, occurred in Fukuchiyama, Tottori City.
- August 24 - According to Japanese government official announcement, and despite opposition groups from environmental activist and government official from neighbour countries, from discharge of radioactive water of the Fukushima First Nuclear Power Plant to start into the Pacific Ocean has started. Relative Chinese government announces that prohibition to all fish import from Japan on same day.
- August 26 - Utsunomiya Light Rail, officially operating start in Tochigi Prefecture, a new tram operating in Japan, since April 20, 2004 in Toyama Light Rail.
September
- September 4 - The Supreme Court of Japan formally orders Okinawa to allow the United States Armed Forces to expand its runways and military infrastructure on the island despite protests from the locals who oppose the American military's presence.[27]
- September 8 - 9 - According to Japan Fire and Disasters Management Agency official confirmed report, Tropical Storm Yunyeung relative heavy massibie rain with flash flood, levee collapse hit in Iwaki, Kitaibaraki and Boso Peninsula, total a person human fatalities and 21 persons were injure.
- September 13 - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced the second reshuffled his cabinet.[28]
- September 29 - K-Arena Yokohama, a major concert hall in Tokyo Metropolitan area, was open in Nishi-ku, Yokohama.
October
- October 2 - An entertainment giant, Johnny & Associates official announcement, change name to Smile-Up, according to report.[29]
See main article: Johnny Kitagawa sexual abuse scandal.
- October 7 - According to Japan National Police Agency official confirmed report, four climers were their lost to lives, due suddenly change temperature in Mount Asahi, Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture.[30]
- October 25 - The Supreme Court of Japan rules that requiring sterilization as part of gender transitioning is unconstitutional, but sends back the gender-affirming surgery requirement to a lower court.[31]
- October 30 - Japan suspends the pilot experiment of its first fully autonomous self-driving car following a minor collision.[32]
- October 31 - According to JNPA official announced, two men were hurt by handgun at Toda General Hospital, following two employee were hostage trap in post office in Warabi, Saitama Prefecture, all hostage was without hurt with later freed, and 86 years age were arrested on suspicion for violence on handgun use.[33]
November
December
Arts and entertainment
Sports
Deaths
In the fifth year of Reiwa Memoriam despite Japanese demographics and the aging crisis in the country, among top 20 famous Japanese people who died peacefully due to illness and old age include Yukihiro Takahashi, Leiji Matsumoto, Shoichiro Toyoda, Maon Kurosaki, Ryuho Okawa, Kenzaburō Ōe, Chikage Oogi, Tomoko Naraoka, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Mikio Aoki, Sadao Nakajima, Nizo Yamamoto, Shinji Tanimura, Atsushi Sakurai, Heath of X Japan, Junko Ohashi, Hiroyuki Hosoda, Daisaku Ikeda, Terao Tsunefumi, and Aki Yashiro. Meanwhile, on July 12, 2023, Ryuchell, Japanese social media personality, model, singer, and activist, died by suicide at the age of 27.
January
February
March
- March 2 – Ryuho Okawa, religious leader (b. 1956)
- March 5
- March 9 – Chikage Oogi, actress and politician (b. 1933)
- March 10 – Naonobu Fujii, volleyball player (b. 1992)
- March 11 – Chen Kenichi, chef (b. 1956)
- March 15 - Taro Nakayama, politician and former Foreign Minister of Japan (b. 1924)
- March 22 – Jirō Dan, actor (b. 1949)
- March 23 – Tomoko Naraoka, actress (b. 1929)
- March 28 – Ryuichi Sakamoto, composer, record producer, and actor (b. 1952)
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
See also
Country overviews
Related timelines for current period
- 2023
- 2020s
- 2020s in political history
Notes and References
- Web site: Naruhito Reign, History, & Family Britannica . www.britannica.com . 8 July 2022 . en.
- Web site: 2023-01-09 . Record 10 million birds culled in Japan as avian flu spreads . 2023-01-22 . The Japan Times . en-US.
- News: Yamagami found competent, to face trial for Abe's murder. 13 January 2022. 13 January 2022. The Asahi Shimbun.
- Web site: 【受付終了】新大学の名称案をご提案ください . 2023-01-22 . 東京工業大学 . ja.
- News: 2023-01-20 . Cost of living: Japan inflation jumps to new 41-year high . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-01-22.
- Web site: 2023-01-22 . Four killed and three others feared dead in predawn fire at Kobe apartment . 2023-01-22 . The Japan Times . en-US.
- News: 2023-01-25 . Cargo ship sinks off Japan, leaving two dead, nine missing . en . Reuters . 2023-01-25.
- Web site: Yong . Nicholas . 2023-02-03 . 'Sickening' sushi diner pranks enrage Japanese . 2023-04-15 . BBC News . en-GB.
- Web site: Khalil . Shaimaa . 2023-03-09 . Japan makes arrests in 'sushi terror' pranks craze . 2023-04-15 . BBC News . en-GB.
- News: Davies . Alys . 2023-02-04 . Japan PM fires aide over derogatory LGBT remarks . BBC NEWS . 2023-02-21.
- News: 2023-02-04 . オフレコ取材報道の経緯 性的少数者傷つける発言「重大な問題」 . ja . 毎日新聞 . 2023-02-21.
- News: Mitsubishi Heavy Announces Pullout from Passenger Jet Development . Jan 1, 2024 . Nippon.com . Jiji Press.
- Web site: Khalil . Shaimaa . 2023-03-14 . Japan YouTuber MP expelled for never going to work . 2023-04-15 . BBC News . en-GB.
- Web site: Takahara . Kanako . 2023-03-16 . Police secure arrest warrant for expelled lawmaker GaaSyy . 2023-04-15 . The Japan Times . en-US.
- Web site: One year after road law revision, few cyclists in Japan wear helmets. The Japan Times. 2024-04-02. 2024-09-21.
- Web site: Emiko . Jozuka . Lendon . Brad . 2023-04-07 . Japanese military helicopter crashes in sea with 10 on board . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230407182807/https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/06/asia/japan-military-helicopter-crash-intl-hnk-ml/index.html . 2023-04-07 . 2023-04-08 . . en.
- Web site: Yamaguchi . Mari . 2023-04-06 . Debris found in search for GSDF copter presumed to have crashed into sea . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406233803/https://japantoday.com/category/national/japanese-army-helicopter-carrying-10-crew-members-missing . 2023-04-06 . 2023-04-08 . Japan Today . en.
- Web site: North Korea fires possible 'new type' ballistic missile . 2023-04-13 . www.aljazeera.com . en.
- Web site: Jozuka . Emi . Ogura . Junko . 2023-04-15 . Man arrested after explosion prompts evacuation of Japanese leader Fumio Kishida from speech venue . 2023-04-15 . CNN . en.
- News: 2023-05-25 . Nagano: Man detained over shooting and stabbing attack in Japan . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-05-26.
- News: Japan passes watered-down LGBT understanding bill . CNN.
- News: Agence France-Presse . 2023-06-16 . Japan raises age of consent from 13 to 16 in reform of sex crimes law . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-06-16 . 0261-3077.
- Web site: 2023-06-19 . 5 killed after truck collides with bus in Hokkaido in northern Japan . 2023-07-25 . The Independent . en.
- Web site: NEWS . KYODO . 5 dead after truck collides with bus in Japan's Hokkaido . 2023-07-25 . Kyodo News+.
- News: The Guardian . Fukushima plan to release water into ocean approved by UN watchdog . July 4, 2023 . en . McCurry . Justin .
- News: Floods and mudslides kill six in Japan as scientists warn extreme rainfall events will get worse . CNN .
- Web site: 2023-09-04 . Japan's top court orders Okinawa to allow a divisive government plan to build US military runways . 2023-09-05 . AP News . en.
- Web site: Inauguration of the Second Kishida Cabinet (Second Reshuffle) . 2023-11-03 . Prime Minister's Office of Japan . en.
- Web site: Johnny & Associates to Change Name to Smile-Up. (Update 2) . October 2, 2023 . The Japan News . Yomiuri Shimbun . October 18, 2023.
- Web site: 2023-10-07 . Four elderly hikers die near mountain trail in eastern Japan . 2023-11-03 . The Japan Times . en.
- Web site: 2023-10-25 . Japan court says 'cruel' gender change sterilisation rule unconstitutional . 2023-10-25 . RFI . en.
- Web site: Agence France-Presse . 2023-10-30 . Japan's first fully autonomous vehicle suspended . 2023-10-31 . Daily Tribune . en-US.
- News: 2023-10-31 . Man arrested after holing up in east Japan post office, 2 injured at hospital . en . Mainichi Daily News . 2023-11-03.
- Web site: 2023-11-05 . Hanshin Tigers Win Japan Series for First Time in 38 Years, Beating Orix Buffaloes in Game 7 . 2023-11-05 . japannews.yomiuri.co.jp . en.
- Web site: S. Korea court rules in favour of victims of wartime sexual slavery . 2023-11-24 . Manila Bulletin . en.
- Web site: Jozuka . Jessie Yeung, Emiko . 2023-11-29 . At least one dead as US Osprey aircraft crashes off coast of Japan . 2023-11-29 . CNN . en.
- Web site: 2023-12-26 . Toyota small car maker Daihatsu shuts down Japan factories during probe of bogus safety tests . 2023-12-26 . AP News . en.
- Web site: 2023-12-26 . Tokyo court only holds utility responsible to compensate Fukushima evacuees and reduces damages . 2023-12-26 . AP News . en.
- Web site: World Aquatics Championships Fukuoka 2023. 17 January 2023.
- Web site: INC . SANKEI DIGITAL . 2023-01-08 . 名脇役の長谷川哲夫さん死去、84歳 ドラマ「3年B組金八先生」「水戸黄門」などに出演 . 2023-02-22 . サンスポ . ja.
- Web site: Legendary Manga Creator Leiji Matsumoto Passes Away at 85. Anime News Network. Rafael Antonio. Pineda. February 19, 2023. February 20, 2023.
- Web site: Cayanan. Joanna. Code Geass, GaoGaiGar Character Designer Takahiro Kimura Passes Away. Anime News Network. March 9, 2023.
- Web site: Tatsunoko Production Co-Founder Ippei Kuri Passes Away. Anime News Network. July 19, 2023.
- Web site: Space Adventure Cobra Manga Creator Buichi Terasawa Passes Away. Anime News Network. Alex. Mateo. September 11, 2023. September 11, 2023.
- Web site: X Japan Releases Statement Confirming Passing of Band Member Heath . November 11, 2023 . Anime news Network . November 12, 2023.
- News: Junko Ohashi, singer of 'Silhouette Romance,' dies at 73. 11 November 2023. 11 November 2023. The Japan News.
- News: Scriptwriter Taichi Yamada Dies at 89 . 1 December 2023 . The Japan News . 1 December 2023.
- Web site: 「東洋の魔女」バレーボール女子 寺山恵美子さん死去 86歳 . 10 December 2023 . 10 December 2023 . NHK NEWS WEB . ja.
- News: Aki Yashiro, Enka Singer and Painter, Dies at Age 73; Known for Hit Songs "Funauta" and "Ame no Bojo" . 9 January 2024 . 9 January 2024 . The Japan News.